LOS ANGELES – Music executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid stepped down from his job at Island Def Jam Music on Thursday and was widely reported to be headed for a judging job at upcoming TV talent show “The X-Factor”, Reid, 54, who helped Justin Bieber, Usher and P!nk become stars, resigned as chairman of the Island Def Jam record label, telling staff in a memo leaked to the media that he was looking forward “with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.” Reid’s resignation came a day after The Hollywood Reporter said the music producer would be joining Simon Cowell as one of four judges on the U.S. version of “The X-Factor.”
Fox, the network behind the show, declined to comment on the reports. The acerbic Cowell, who quit “American Idol” last year to work on bringing his “X-Factor” to U.S. television, is offering a $5 million prize to the winner of the new show. Cowell has said in recent weeks that his old “American Idol” sparring partner Paula Abdul is on his short-list for a place on the program, in which judges will take a leading role in mentoring contestants. Singers Mariah Carey and Jessica Simpson, and former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, are also said to be in the running for a spot on the panel.
